Peekskill Parents Sue School District Over Birth Control For Daughter

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The parents of a former Peekskill High School student are suing the school district, alleging a school psychologist crossed the line when he helped the girl acquire birth control.

As CBS 2's Lou Young reported, Anthony and Eve Jackson say their daughter obtained birth control pills three years ago, when she was 16, during school hours at a health clinic following a school counseling session.

"This case is about a school taking away and hijacking a parental right," said David MacCartney, the Jacksons' attorney.

The clinic, Hudson River Health Services, is located about a half-mile from the school and has no official affiliation with it. But the Jacksons allege the high school psychologist and his wife, who worked at the clinic, "conspired" to get their daughter the birth control they would've preferred she not have.

"Counselor took student through an elevator, down out to the school, out a side door after having called his wife at the health clinic and had her come in her private vehicle to pick the girl up," MacCartney said.

The clinic operates in a city with the highest teen pregnancy rate in Westchester County.

"I see young kids with children," Peekskill resident Joseph Selza said. "I see babies having babies."

"It's better than getting an abortion, having birth control," said Peekskill resident Tyleica Mann, who became a mother as a teenager.

Allison DuBois, chief operating officer of Hudson River Health Services, said the facility keeps services confidential under state law and cannot notify parents about teenagers who visit there.

The Jacksons are seeking damages and other parents to join them in the lawsuit. The girl, now 19, is not a party to the case.

The psychologist still works for the Peekskill City School District. Schools superintendent Larry Licopoli said he could not comment because he had not see the lawsuit.

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